West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor has been dropped for next week’s third Test between Australia and India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday.
ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed told a news conference that New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden would stand in the West Indian’s place following widespread criticism of Bucknor’s performance in last week’s second Test at Sydney.
”Steve accepts that his presence was a problem and in the best interests of the game he accepted the decision,” Speed said.
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) had demanded Bucknor be sacked after the 61-year-old made a series of blunders during the second Test in Sydney.
Both teams were adversely affected by poor decisions but India suffered more than the Australians.
The most significant occurred on the first day when Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds was incorrectly given not out caught behind on 30 before going on to make 162 not out.
Then on the last day, India’s Rahul Dravid was wrongly given out when he was trying to save the game, which India lost by 122 runs.
The ICC does not normally allow member nations to interfere or oppose the appointment of umpires but Speed said the changes had been made to alleviate some of the pressure from the escalating row and ensure the series proceeds.
”It is an extraordinary set of circumstances and we want to take some of the tension out of the situation,” Speed said.
Jamaican-born Bucknor is the most experienced umpire in international cricket history, having stood in a record 120 Tests and five World Cup finals. – Reuters